A small side yard can often be overlooked. It shouldn’t be, however, because it is still available space to add to the appeal of your home. There are many options for using a small side yard, but first, you should consider how much space you have to use. Once you have considered things like the amount of space and who will be using it, begin to consider your options. Some options for a side yard are planting a garden, creating a playroom, and setting up a relaxing area for your own enjoyment.[1]

Steps

Method1

Planting a Garden

1

Prepare the space. An unused side yard can easily fall into disarray. Before making any changes, you will need to clean up the space. Clean up and throw away any trash and unused objects. If you have grass, mow it to make it even and tidy. Pull up any weeds that you see. You will want to start with a clean and empty space.[2]

Try to make room by getting rid of or moving any old furniture or toys that are taking up space.

2

Choose a space for gardening. Locate an open space for gardening. For a narrow space, up against the house is ideal. If you have a wider space, you can plant in multiple locations around the yard. If necessary, take measurements or section off the space you will use for the garden.[3]

Test the soil in the space you choose for gardening to see what kind of plants would thrive there.

3

Plant climbing plants. If you have a fence, it is also an option to plant climbing plants, like cucumbers, ivy, Morning Glory, golden hops, and St. Vincent Lilac. To prepare and plant climbing plants, you need to attach wire supports on the fence. Then, you should dig a hole about eighteen inches away from the plant. The hole should be twice as wide as the plant pot and slightly deeper. Next, place bamboo canes in the holes in a fan shape. After that, remove the plant from its pot, place it in the hole, and cover it with soil. Finally, tie the stems to the wire with twine.[4]

Digging a hole too close to the fence is not advised because the soil is usually dry in that area.

The bamboos will serve as support for the plants until they reach the wires.

A long, narrow garden is great in any small side yard because it leaves space for walking.

4

Pick up a few bags of mulch. You may not need mulch if the soil in your garden is good for planting. But mulch can help regulate soil temperature and moisture, suppress weeds, and it looks nice aesthetically. Mulch can be picked up at a nursery or at many home improvement stores.[5]

You can also pick up weed fabric to put below the mulch.

5

Plant flowers. Depending on the amount of space you have, you may want to limit the amount of flowers you plant. Choose at least two varieties of plants and/or flowers. Consider flowers that are colorful and aesthetically pleasing. It is good to purchase flowers that will bloom at different times of the year so that there is always a touch of color in your yard. You can start with seeds, or choose flowers that just need to be planted into the ground. For instantly sprucing up a space, purchase some seedlings potted plants/flowers from a local nursery.

Some perennial flower options are catmint, coneflower, coreopsis, and gaura.[6]

6

Grow vegetables and herbs. Choosing to grow vegetables can make your garden useful, not just aesthetically pleasing. Think of vegetables that most or everyone in your household would enjoy. You should also consider the amount of space you have and the time you are willing to put into the tending to the vegetables. If you’re a beginner, some vegetables that are easy to grow are snap peas, carrots, and radishes. Cilantro, parsley, and thyme are a few herbs that are easy to grow.[7]

Consider how much time you will be able to invest before planting vegetables.

7

Hang a flower box. To add extra appeal to your garden, hang a few flower boxes. They are typically placed outside of windows. Flower boxes can be purchased at your local nursery or home improvement store. For a sunny window, bright flowers like Dusty Miller and Verbena are ideal. Plants with colorful leaves, like Dark Star and Dappled Apple, are best for shady windows. Succulents are great to plant if you won’t have much time to tend to the boxes. To plant the flowers, put potting mix and fertilizer into the box and place the flowers into the soil.[8]

Think of flowers that would complement the flowers in your garden.

8

Add a wooden trimming. Use long planks of wood to section off the garden. This can be useful to keep kids from stepping on the garden. Surrounding the garden with wood can also be done purely for looks. All you need to do is purchase planks of wood, set them up around the garden, and attach them with a hammer and nails.[9]

Method2

Setting Up a Relaxing Area

1

Install a fence. If you don’t already have a fence, consider installing one to make your space more private. If a fence isn’t possible, you can also plant hedges to create privacy. If you are renting or sharing a space, consult with your landlord or roommates before making any changes.[10]

A fence can be costly. Factor in the cost of supplies and labor if you don’t know how to build a fence on your own.

2

Build a patio or deck. You don’t have to cover the entire yard with a deck, but a small part of the yard is nice to off section for a patio. Lay down stones or build a wooden deck. It can be as small as just four feet in length if you don’t have a lot of space. Consider the shape of your yard when planning the patio. A long, narrow deck would be ideal for a long, narrow yard. [11]

3

Put out a table and chairs. Look for a table and chair set to place on the deck. For a smaller area, look for a small table and two chairs to set on either side of the table. For a wider area, look for a square table with four chairs. You can have your meals, read, or enjoy a glass of wine at the table on nice days and evenings. The table and chairs directly on the ground, but for more stability, it is better to place them on a wooden deck or stones. [12]

You can purchase a wooden or pop up gazebo to place over the table for coverage during light rain or bright sun. Gazebos can be purchased for home improvement stores.

For an easy option, you can buy stones to lay down.

4

Set up flower pots. Add some color to your yard by setting up flowers around it. You can buy some larger pots, small pots to put on tables, and if you have a place to them from, you can buy hanging pots. Look for perennial flowers, like coneflower, that will stay lovely and colorful all year long. Instead of flowers, you can also choose plants or herbs for the pots. Heuchera and ferns are plants that go well in containers. For herbs, lemon thyme and ‘Alaska’ nasturtium is well-suited for pots. [13]

Buy potting soil and fertilizer, then plant the flowers into the pots.

5

Buy a grill. Purchase a small grill for the patio area. A tabletop grill can be found to save space. Use the grill to entertain guests or cookout with a friend or your partner. Grills can be purchased at places like Walmart, many home improvement stores, and online.[14]

Method3

Creating an Outdoor Playroom

1

Put out a table and chairs. Look for a kid-sized table and chair set. Set it up in a corner of your yard. The tables can be made new, purchased from a garage sale, or even built if you are particularly handy. Kids can sit at these tables to color, eat, or play with their toys on nice days.[15]

If you have extra room, look for an adult-sized table and chairs to put next to the table for kids.

2

Hang up a chalkboard. A chalkboard can be a great activity for kids that won’t take up a lot of space. A chalkboard can be attached to fence with a hammer and nails, or set up on a stand. The size of the chalkboard you use depends on the amount of space you have. Look for a chalkboard that is big enough for at least two children to draw on. A chalkboard can be purchased from a crafts store, or even a school supply shop.[16]

Set out a bucket of chalks and erasers next to the chalkboard. Bring it in during the night or when it rains.

3

Install a sandbox. A sandbox can be a fun activity for children during the warmer months of the year. For a small yard, look for a small sandbox that can easily fit into a corner. If you can’t find a sandbox, one can be made out of a plastic or wooden box that isn’t very high on the sides. Purchase sand to fill the sandbox, and put in a few toys to play with, like buckets and shovels.[17]

Look for a cover to put over the sandbox for rainy weather.

4

Set out a kiddie pool. A kiddie pool can be placed in another corner, or next to the sandbox. If there is not enough room, you can opt to choose a kiddie pool over the sandbox. Kiddie pools can be purchased at most toy stores and supermarkets with a toy section. Look for one of the smallest pools you can find. It shouldn’t take up too much space.[18]

You can set out a sprinkler instead of a kiddie pool if you have limited space in your yard.

Fill it with water from the garden hose whenever your kids want to use it.

5

Put out a box for toys. A yard can get messy with children playing in it. Put out a box with a lid for their toys. Any type of box will do, though a plastic or wooden box is ideal because it can withstand weather. Ask your kids to put their outside toys into it when they are done playing.[19]